A Mini Wedding Art Quilt for a Wonderful Niece #1 of 2

I have promised a small mini art quilt for a wonderful niece since, I don’t know, sometime last year!  Well, she got married this February. So, I thought I should try to finish one soon. I want them to be perfect. There are a few mistakes, er changes, but, as I’ve been told, the imperfections are what make these mini art quilts unique. Still, it’s hard for me to go outside the box. If only I did that, all of my mini art quilts would be finished much sooner.

Anyway, here is one of them. (I made her two since she was so patient.) I’ll show the other one next week.

She received them last week; so it’s safe to show them here now.

 What I used to make this 15” x 11.5” mini art quilt:

* Laser printed transparency sheet with picture pulled from the computer.

* Three different types of home dec cotton fabric

* Moire fabric (with a wavy watered appearance), for the birds, flower, and hearts

* Same home dec cotton fabric for the butterflies

* Sizzix butterfly die

* Peltex batting sandwiched between  the fabric to help make the mini art quilt stiff

* Buttons

* Heat set heart gems

* Crystals for the birds eyes

I frayed the edges of the frame and used colorful decorative thread. I sewed around the appliqués using the appliqué stitch.

Fall Is Here!

I love Fall! It's one of my favorite seasons, next to Winter, Spring, and Summer!  ;-)

It's a crisp cool feeling. 

I've used warm colors to make this "WELCOME" sign that is on my front porch.

Sewing Gifts: Wristlet Zippered Pouch, Travel Tissue Holder, Sachets Filled With Lavender

There is a wonderful person at the front desk of one of the Y's I attend. She is a shy, but always helpful, pleasant person. She never seems to give anyone any attitude. She seems to be always in a good mood. So I wanted to say "Thanks" by giving her these little gifts I made. Thank you Erin.

The fabric used is 100% cotton for the main outside, while the lining and hearts are made with cotton flannel.

The wristlet zippered pouch is around 7 1/2" x 7 1/2" I quilted only the pouch using batting in-between the cotton flannel lining and main cotton fabric. I also used a 7" zipper.

The handle for the zippered pouch is cut about 3 1/2" wide (can't see the picture of the handle)

The travel tissue holder holds standard Kleenix Travel Tissues. It's overlapped so that it says closed.

The two sachets are made using main cotton fabric stuffed with dried lavender, while the appliquéd hearts are made using cotton flannel.

I used Sizzix die # 655776 to cut the sachets. For the hearts on the sachet, I used Sizzix die #656334.

I took many pics of how I made each of them, but there are numerous sites to find instructions for the quilted pouch and travel tissue holder.

Antique Vintage Linen Napkins Turned Into Sachets w/ Lavender and Flax Seed

Throughout the years, I've been collecting old vintage linen napkins. They've been sitting in a drawer for years. Beautiful, aren't they? They're so so soft, and you could tell they have a premium quality to them. A few are slightly stained in some places, but that adds to it's uniqueness and beauty.

I thought I would reuse, repurpose, and transform them. One idea was to make small 4" x 4" square sachets. They were made using Sizzix Bigz Clear Die Square Scallop #655776. The sachets are filled with lavender and flax seed. That way, you could also put them in the freezer or microwave and place them on what ever hurts to sooth. The smell is relaxing--so I hear. (I have no sense of smell--really! I have one of my daughter's help me mix the lavender and flax seed together.)

 My beloved mother loved the smell of lavender. These sachets are small gifts of thanks to people I know.  I have plenty more of these old linen napkins, so I will be making a lot more to give away. 

Wine Bottle with Criss Cross Coasters

This is a round-bottom wine holder with Criss-Cross coasters. Gotta say, the coasters are easy to make, thanks to the Sizzix Bigz Clear Die Square Scallop #655776. 

Whimsical or Shabby Chic Decor for a Little One's Birthday Party

I made this whimsical decoration for my beautiful little granddaughter for her one-year birthday party at a park. The banners, including the one with her name, was made using Sizzix dies.

After, I brought this home to keep in my yard for a while.